District 1 students begin summer internship

Miami Gardens — Twenty-seven students living in Miami-Dade County’s District 1 have begun working in an eight-week summer internship program sponsored by the area’s County Commissioner Barbara Jordan.

The interns, aged 16-21, spent two days recently in an orientation program at the Dade Regional Library before going off for a taste of the working world through Jordan’s annual Summer Youth Internship Initiative (SYII) Program, now in its sixth year.

According to a statement from Jordan’s office, the program “advocates a strong commitment to the professional development of students.”

In this edition, the interns, from high schools and colleges, have an opportunity to work and build partnerships with some of the district’s most prominent business and organizations.

As an additional requirement, the students must participate in community service and team building projects, where they learn the importance of civic involvement and team work.

“The experience gained through this program is invaluable. These students are given hands-on experience working in the private sector and gain the tools necessary to become successful in the workforce,” Jordan said in a statement announcing the internship.

“Interns who have participated in my internship program have gone on to become full-time employees for SYII business partners. In this economy, this kind of experience will put a job candidate ahead of the pack.”